Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
Lighting 6-9
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If one of these messages displays, it
is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Without DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑29 orDriver Information
Center (DIC) (With DIC Buttons) on
page 5‑24.Battery Power Protection
This feature helps prevent the
battery from being drained, if the
interior courtesy lamps or reading
lamps are accidentally left on. If any
of these lamps are left on, they
automatically turn off after
10 minutes, if the ignition is off. The
lamps will not come back on again
until one of the following occurs:
.The ignition is turned on.
.The exterior lamps control is
turned off, then on again.
The headlamps will time out after
10 minutes, if they are manually
turned on while the ignition is on
or off.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
9-8 Driving and Operating
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑7 orRoadside Assistance
Program (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13‑11. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems” in
the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑20.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.
Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
9-50 Driving and Operating
*The fuse for this circuit is installed
in the underhood electrical center,
but the wires are not connected.
They should be connected by your
dealer or a qualified service center.
If the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your dealer.
If a remote (non-vehicle) battery is
being charged, press the Tow/Haul
mode switch located on the center
console near the climate controls.
This will boost the vehicle system
voltage and properly charge the
battery. If the trailer is too light for
Tow/Haul mode, turn on the
headlamps (non-HID only) as a
second way to boost the vehicle
system and charge the battery.Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
These wiring provisions for an
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The
instrument panel contains blunt cut
wires above the parking brake
assembly for the electric trailer
brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.Red/Black: Power Supply
.White: Brake Switch Signal
.Gray: Illumination
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Signal
.Black: Ground
The electric trailer brake controller
should be installed by your dealer or
a qualified service center.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Some electrical
equipment can damage the
vehicle or cause components to
not work and would not be
covered by the warranty. Always
check with your dealer before
adding electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑34 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑35.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-2
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 10-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-11
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-16 Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-18
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-22
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-23
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Taillamps, Turn Signal, andStoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-27
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . 10-37
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-25
Rear Wiper Blade
To replace the rear wiper blade:
1. Pull the wiper blade assemblyaway from the backglass.
The rear wiper blade will not lock
in a vertical position so care
should be used when pulling it
away from the vehicle.
2. Push the release lever (2) to
disengage the hook and push
the wiper arm (1) out of the
blade assembly (3).
3. Push the new blade assembly securely in the wiper arm hook
until the release lever clicks into
place.
4. Return the wiper arm and blade assembly to the rest position on
the glass.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and
should need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is
necessary, see your dealer.
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
10-28 Vehicle Care
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and
Wiring
{WARNING
Exposure to high voltage can
cause shock, burns, and even
death. The high voltage
components in the vehicle can
only be serviced by technicians
with special training.
High voltage components are
identified by labels. Do not
remove, open, take apart,
or modify these components.
High voltage cable or wiring has
orange covering. Do not probe,
tamper with, cut, or modify high
voltage cable or wiring.
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens
and closes, protecting the circuit
until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed. This
greatly reduces the chance of circuit
overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
power devices in the vehicle.
Replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size and rating.
If there is a problem on the road and
a fuse needs to be replaced, the
same amperage fuse can be
borrowed. Choose some feature of
the vehicle that is not needed to use
and replace it as soon as possible.
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
Vehicle Care 10-31
FusesUsage
EVEN COILS Even Injector Coils FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FSCM Fuel System Control Module
HORN Horn
HTD MIR Heated Outside Rearview Mirror
HTD
STR WHL Heated Steering
Wheel
HUMIDITY/ MAF Humidity Sensor/
MAF Sensor
HVAC BLWR Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning
Blower
LT HI BEAM Left High-Beam Headlamp
LT LO BEAM Left Low-Beam Headlamp
LT PRK Left Parking Lamp Fuses
Usage
LT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Left
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal
ODD COILS Odd Injector Coils PCM IGN Powertrain Control Module Ignition
PWR L/GATE Power Liftgate PWR
OUTLET Power Outlet
RR APO Rear Accessory Power Outlet
RR DEFOG Rear Defogger RR HVAC Rear Climate Control System
RT HI BEAM Right High-Beam Headlamp
RT LO BEAM Right Low-Beam Headlamp
RT PRK Right Parking Lamp Fuses
Usage
RT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Right
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal
RVC SNSR Regulated Voltage Control Sensor
S/ROOF/
SUNSHADE Sunroof
SERVICE Service Repair SPARE Spare
STOP
LAMPS Stoplamps
STRTR Starter TCM Transmission Control Module
TRANS Transmission TRLR
BCK/UP Trailer Back-up
Lamps
TRLR BRK Trailer Brake TRLR
PRK LAMP Trailer Parking
Lamps
TRLR PWR Trailer Power
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Traverse Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC 2nd Edition - 11/13/12
10-32 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
WPR/WSW Windshield Wiper/ Washer
Relays Usage
A/C
CMPRSR
CLTCH Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
AUX
VAC PUMP Auxiliary
Vacuum Pump
CRNK Switched Power
FAN 1 Cooling Fan 1
FAN 2 Cooling Fan 2
FAN 3 Cooling Fan 3
HI BEAM High-Beam Headlamps
HID/
LO BEAM High Intensity
Discharge (HID)
Low-Beam
Headlamps
HORN Horn IGN Ignition Main Relays
Usage
LT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Left
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal Lamp
PRK LAMP Parking Lamp PWR/TRN Powertrain
RR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
RT LO BEAM Right Low-Beam Headlamp
RT TRLR
STOP/TRN Trailer Right
Stoplamp and Turn
Signal Lamp
STOP LAMP Stop Lamps
TRLR
BCK/UP Trailer Back-up
Lamps
WPR Windshield Wiper
WPR HI Windshield Wiper High SpeedInstrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is
under the instrument panel on the
passenger side of the vehicle. Pull
down on the cover to access the
fuse block.